President Buhari, Lawan Hails Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila At 60
By Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman
In congratulatory messages, Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari and Sen. Ahmed Lawan, Senate President, members and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) felicitated with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on his 60th birthday, June 25, 2022.
President Buhari expressed that he observed the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila for a long time, in the sense that when he was watching debates in the House of Representatives he used to be on his feet most of the time, passionately defending the party and issues he believed in.
“He impressed me very early as a committed member of the House of Representatives and I congratulate his constituency for keeping him there. I was very pleased that he eventually became the leader of the house.
“I am so impressed and pleased with the performance of the Speaker and the Senate President, Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan. At a certain stage, I called them and told them that I did not speak to them about what was happening in the National Assembly because I have so much confidence in them.
“Our party, APC, has majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. I know both of them and endorse their leadership so I should leave them alone to do their job.
“I wish Femi Gbajabiamila the best of luck and hope his constituency will maintain the confidence in him because he is a patriotic and honest person. I have a lot of respect for him,’’ says Buhari.
The President prays that the Almighty God will grant the Speaker, who is the second longest-serving member of the House of Representatives, long life, good health and wisdom to keep serving the country.
In one hand, Sen. Ahmed Lawan described Gbjabiamila as a dedicated, humble and a responsible leader who sacrifices his time in taking the great party APC forwards.
Mr. Lawan added that, since the inauguration of the ninth Assembly in June 2019, I have been really impressed working side by side with him and our other colleagues in developing the Legislature and making it work always better for the people of this great country.
Together, we have steered the ship of the National Assembly with the aim every day to ensure stability and good governance in our country.
This smooth working relationship has been made possible by the fact that we share a grand vision of effective delivery of service by our governmental institutions to the Nigerian people.
Mr Speaker has been a worthy ally in this voyage of service to the nation and, with the continuous cooperation and understanding of our colleagues in both Chambers, we shall together anchor safely next year, satisfied that we have given our best.
Again, I wish Mr Speaker a happy birthday celebration.